Interview with Beverly Ramos of Kansas State

by Tom Borish

Ramos was the top finisher at the Cowboy Jamboree hosted by Oklahoma State (KStateSports.com)

You set a personal best and course record by winning the 6k Cowboy Jamboree in 20:30. Was the race managed well in terms of how you planned to compete that day for the first big race of your season?

Yes! Definitely I was mentally prepared for our first big race. I knew it was going to be fast race at the beginning and then a little tough at the end because of the hills. I have been training very well on the hills, which gave me confidence during the last part of the race. Also, we ran the course the day before the race, so I was aware of what was coming. I really wanted to go out with the leaders in this race, that was the main goal, stick with them and see where I was in terms of fitness. I kept the leaders in sight and I waited until I knew I could push all the way to the finish and it worked out for me.

The course at Oklahoma State featured plenty of hills, especially around the 3k mark. How much confidence did the final result give you knowing that you were able to tackle the hills fairly well?

A lot of confidence. Considering the hills and the conditions of them, (they were steep and covered in wood chips) I think I did a pretty good job attacking the hills in the last part of the race. I learned that physically I'm strong, my fitness is good and I can keep improving, which gives me a lot of motivation to keep working hard and reach my potential by the end of the season.

You'll next compete at the NCAA Division I Pre-National Invitational on October 16 hosted by Indiana State. Given your success during the season so far, how much are you looking forward to this race which should feature many of the athletes you'll compete against at the NCAA Championships on the same course?

I think this is the meet I have been waiting for. I really want to perform well and see where I compared against the best women in the NCAA. It's going to be an exciting race and I want to go out and do my best. I want to run with the front runners and look for top 10 finish.

Originally from Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico, what led you to enroll at Kansas State and how has the experience been for you now that you're in the second full season of cross country as a Wildcat?

Well, one of my teammate is from Puerto Rico, Liliani Mendez, and another, Lysaira del Valle graduated from Kansas State. K-State contacted me and I really wanted to come to the United States, so after I heard about this opportunity I said yes almost instantaneously. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to do well in academics as well as in athletics. My experience here at Kansas State has been amazing. I love to be here in Kansas and run for the Wildcats. The people as well as my teammates are really nice; they are like my family. I think this is the perfect atmosphere to do well in academics and athletics.

There are only a few big meets left this season and the Big 12 Conference Championships are just a few weeks away. After placing 29th during last year's meet, what are your goals and expectations this time around?

I have very high expectations this year. Last year it was my first cross country

Season and I didn't have as much preparation. Now, I think I have more experience and worked a lot more for the Big 12 Championship. I'm looking for top 7 this year, which I think is achievable. If I can do that probably I can run a personal best by the end of the year.

Looking back at the track season, you placed 12th at the NCAA Championships in the 3,000m Steeplechase with your time of 10:24.81. How would you rank your outdoor season and what would you like to improve on in 2009?

I was happy with my outdoor season but I want to place higher at the NCAA meet in 2009. I'm adding the 5,000 and 10,000 this year and those events should give me a better opportunity to be a scorer at the NCAA meet if I can qualify to get there.

What does your general training consist of right now heading into the NCAA Division I Pre-National Invitational?

My volume remains elevated. When I first got to Kansas State my coach was pretty cautious with my workload. I was averaging 40 miles per week. Twice a week I'm trying to run 6:20-6:30 pace for 10-12 miles on the hilly dirt roads around Manhattan. I'm also doing a lot of threshold and fartlek training. My main focus is the outdoor season so my training has been pretty general and I think it will stay that way throughout the fall. Now I'm tolerating 60-65 miles per week without to much difficulty. I'm also continuing to improve my strength. I'm working hard in the weight room 2 times per week and doing body weight circuits everyday. I hope to be able to clean my body weight by the end of the year. Right now weigh 110 pounds and I can clean 95 so I'm getting close!

Who are some of the most influential people in your life who have helped you to where you are today?

My family, my teammates and my coach Michael Smith have been the most influential people in my life and have helped me to be the person I am today. I received a lot of help and support from my Family, but the person that is usually taking care of me here in Kansas is my coach. He is very attentive and always making sure I have everything I need.

Considering the depth of talent at the NCAA level in cross country right now, where do you see yourself in the pool of athletes who are challenging for the national title?

It's hard for me to say. The girls ran fast at Lehigh, Oregon, Auburn and Notre Dame. Many of those girls ran faster than me. The Pre-National meet will be a good measuring stick for me to see where I fit in the national pool. I hope to be among the leaders!

Do you generally follow how your competition fares each weekend? Who are some of the athletes you've competed against that you have strong respect for?

Yes! I look on Trackshark every day. I really like to see how everyone is doing and it helps me to know what others can do so I am reminded of how hard I need to work everyday. I respect everybody out there but I'm most familiar with the big 12 women like, Sally, Jenny and Lisa.

How do you like to spend your free time when you're away from the sport?

I love to relax, watch TV, share with my teammates and talk with my family whenever I get free time.

Untitled Comment

01:03, 13 October 2008 .. Posted by angelina

Great Athlete, Great Last Name =)
Way to stay tough with weather changes from Puerto Rico to Kansas... no easy ordeal...best of luck at prenats...

-Angelina Ramos
Trackshark Journalist

Felicitaciones!

05:14, 13 October 2008 .. Posted by Jean-Carlos Arroyo (PUR)

Beverly Felicidades en tus logros y en los que vienen por ahi. Continue entrenando fuerte que el futuro que te augura es muy alentador. Puerto Rico necesita mas atletas decididas como tu.
Tus triunfos son los de Puerto Rico y nos deja saber que no todo esta perdido. Es cuestion de seguir trabajando fuerte para lograr las metas.

Gracias
Jean(coach de Bamby)

ps:Trackshark es internacional! Primera Boricua en agraciar el front page.

Congrats to Beverly Ramos

06:15, 13 October 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

I'm so proud of you, you have been doing a great job out there. Please receive our love and congrats. Joel, Nidia and Family.

Congratulations!

08:34, 13 October 2008 .. Posted by Coach Michael A. Serralta

Keep on making Puerto Rico proud of you and always be determined and your dreams will come true. Can't wait to see you in the near future at the Olympics (London).

CoNgRaTuLaTioN

10:05, 13 October 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

StRaIgHt oUt fRoM PR, muchas felcidades, somos muchos los que stamos orgullosos de tu representacion y logros que haz logrado obtener, keep on going u can achive ,more than that, take care

GaBrIeL,
fRom CuPeY aLtO,PR

Felicidades

11:55, 13 October 2008 .. Posted by Florencio González

Te felicito Beverly por tu gran actuación en campo traviesa en Kansas, Nebraska y Oklajomay te espero para que en el 2010 nos estes representando en Mayaguez Centroamericano Superior

Felicidades

12:01, 14 October 2008 .. Posted by Wilo Racing

Hey chica lucia como siempre con ese tiempo me sacas un km de ventaja.Felicidades, mucho exito y espero verte en Mayaguez 2010.


Wilo Racing
De Q-pey pal' Mundo

Untitled Comment

03:01, 16 October 2008 .. Posted by Morgan

Bev! Te amo!!!!
Keep up the good work and you'll be amazing. I believe in you and am always on your side. Good luck this weekend B-Sue;).

felisidades

08:37, 17 October 2008 .. Posted by Cristian P.

buen trabajo de parte de uno d tus admiradores, y te deseo lo mejor y que sigas progresando.

Felicidades, eres un gran ejemplo para mi.

03:50, 20 October 2008 .. Posted by Daysmarie Núñez, PR

Soy Daysmarie, tengo 13 años y pertenezco a Cupey Track., Estaré especializándome en fondo. Eres una gran motivación para mi. No te conózco, pero al ver tu comienzo y lo que sigues logrando; me sirve de inspiración para amar este deporte. Te admiro muchoooooo.